In the 1980s, the new wave of Metal, as exemplified by Iron Maiden, saw its greatest success in England and especially in the States, where bands like Maiden were viewed as a response to the increasingly popular Disco-Music. And clearly, as usual, there are somewhat overlooked bands like Krokus. They hail from Switzerland, and they're a five-piece band, with the very talented Fernando Von Arb on guitar and the Maltese Mark Storace on vocals; they've always been overlooked for being considered an AC/DC clone, and indeed Storace's voice is practically identical to that of the late Bon Scott. That means very little, considering that in 1983, AC/DC released the disappointing "Flick Of The Switch," while shortly after Krokus's masterpiece "Headhunter" would be released, solidifying their status in the States, where this "Alive And Screamin'" was recorded, their first live album, released in 1986 as part of the tour promoting their "Change Of Address" record.
It's an album that relies entirely on the energy of the tracks, performed perfectly, starting with the first song, "Long Stick Goes Boom," tasked with kicking off the show. However, their first masterpiece is "Eat The Rich" from Headhunter; the track is extraordinary, with Storace showcasing his vocals, and Von Arb delivering a stunning solo amid the audience's cheers... But ladies and gentlemen, bow down to the next track, "Screaming In The Night." The song is a wonderful ballad that I consider on par with Stairway To Heaven, where Mark and Kohler's bass have a crucial role; the gem is enriched by Von Arb's accompaniment on guitar, as always right on point!
The album continues with another great piece, "Midnite Maniac," which doesn't offer anything new, other than reaffirming the power of this album. We proceed with one of Krokus's early hits, "Bedside Radio" from their album "Metal Rendez-vous," a song notable for the swift execution and the brilliant performance of bassist Mark Kohler, who hammers his bass like a madman. We move forward, skipping the simple "Lay Me Down," to make way for the last two masterpieces of the album: the first is "Stayed Awake All Night," where the crowd goes wild while the band unleashes all their energy. The last track is perhaps the most representative of Krokus, a true Metal anthem, the extraordinary "Headhunter," executed amazingly, with Storace shredding his vocal cords, a performance worthy of the best Gillan, and Fernando pulling out a magnificent solo from his Fender! The album concludes amidst the audience's applause and the group's thanks!
In conclusion, it's one of the best live albums of the '80s, but above all, one of the best live Metal albums in general, that every self-respecting metalhead should own! I highly recommend it to you, and for once, it's not hard to find, unlike the other albums I generally review. It's worth it, trust me!!
SEE YOU SOON, BYE DEBASERIANS!
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Long Stick Goes Boom (05:34)
Y'all know about sixty-nine
Burnin' bones and bedside time
Once again we meet tonight
Get that touch of a magical light
We're gonna hit it
We're gonna kick it
We're gonna break out through the ice
You give us fever
You give us sweat
You're gonna make us live it twice
Tonight long stick goes boom
Tonight long stick goes boom
The time is right for a ride tonight
To be with you I'd risk a fight
My stick is tight, my blood is hot
Let's do it here, right on the spot
We're gonna hit it
We're gonna kick it
We're gonna break out through the ice
You give us fever
You give us sweat
You're gonna make us live it twice
Tonight long stick goes boom
Tonight long stick goes boom
02 Eat the Rich (04:57)
I've been down, I've been beat
I've been tossed into the street
Beggin' nickels, beggin' dimes
Just to get my bottle of wine
Some say life she's a lady
Kinda soft, kinda shady
I can tell you life is rich
She's no lady, she's a bitch
They suck my body out
But friend there is no doubt
I'm gonna pay the devil his dues
Cause I'm sick of being abused
Eat the rich, eat the rich
Don't you know life is a bitch
Eat the rich, eat the rich
Out of the palace and into the ditch
Steal my money, steal my car
Took my woman and my old guitar
Runnin' crazy, runnin' wild
Blind alley in my mind
Just can't fight the temptation
It's become my inspiration
Gonna get myself an axe
Break some heads, break some backs
They suck my body out
But friend there is no doubt
I'm gonna pay the devil his dues
Cause I'm sick of being abused
Eat the rich, eat the rich
Don't you know life is a bitch
Eat the rich, eat the rich
Out of the palace and into the ditch
Don't stop me
Eat the rich, eat the rich
Don't you know life is a bitch
Eat the rich, eat the rich
Out of the palace and into the ditch
Eat the rich, eat the rich
Don't you know life is a bitch
Eat the rich, eat the rich
Out of the palace and into the ditch
Out of the palace and into the ditch
They suck my body out
03 Screaming in the Night (06:02)
Sons of vengeance, can you rescue me
They got me tied up to a woe tree
They had me screamin' and alone in the night
I'm beginning to see what's wrong and what is right
What is wrong and what is right, oh, what is wrong and what is right
The gates was gettin' rusty, as we sailed into the dark
The stars were out and shinin' against the moonlit hour
The wolves were out and howlin', most of the time
And I was cold and shiverin' and bleedin' in the night
Bleedin' in the night, oh, bleedin' in the night
Screaming in the night, fighting for my life, I'd die for you
I knew it all along, headed for the sun, our love was true (our love was true)
Screaming in the night, fighting for my life, I'd die for you
I knew it all along, headed for the sun, our love was true, oh
In the corner of the valley, we took him by surprise
The sound of steel rang loud, above the battle cries
I found her lying lifeless, dagger through her heart
I picked her up, and held her high, and I swore to be avenged
Swore to be avenged, oh swore to be avenged, oh
Screaming in the night, fighting for my life, I'd die for you
I knew it all along, headed for the sun, our love was true (our love was true)
Screaming in the night, fighting for my life, I'd die for you
I knew it all along, headed for the sun, our love was true, oh
Screaming in the night, fighting for my life, I'd die for you, oh
I knew it all along, headed for the sun, our love was true (our love)
Screaming in the night, fighting for my life, I'd die for you, oh
I knew it all along, headed for the sun, our love was true, oh
05 Midnite Maniac (04:09)
Did you read it in the paper
'Bout the danger comin' your way
She'll tear you up at midnite
Killer on the loose get out of her way
Sex machine terrorizin' dream
Lock the door tonite
She's got it all she can walk thru a wall
Better run for your life
And in the light of day
In hidin' she will stay
Watch out at midnite
Feel her shadow on your face
Midnite maniac: she's a killer at large
Midnite maniac: lock your door
Cause she can't be far
Did you hear it on the radio
Crimes of passion makin' the news
It happened after midnite
In your neighborhood could've been you
Sex machine terrorizin' dream
Lock the door tonite
She's got it all she can walk thru a wall
Better run for your life
And in the light of day
In hidin' she will stay
Watch out at midnite
Feel her shadow on your face
Midnite maniac: she's a killer at large
Midnite maniac: lock your door
Cause she can't be far
Midnite maniac: she's a killer at large
Midnite maniac: lock your door
She knows where you are
Midnite maniac: she's a killer at large
Midnite maniac: lock your door
Cause she can't be far
Midnite maniac: she's a killer at large
Midnite maniac: lock your door
She knows where you are
06 Bedside Radio (03:23)
The show is over you got to go home again
Late in the night you're dreamin' of the guitar man
The radio station plays his latest song
It says your way of life is kinda wrong
Do you hear your bedside radio
Do you hear your bedside radio
You wake up early in the morning to the radio news
But in your blood is still this dose of blues, yeah
The sound of the band has turned you upside down
Instead of going to the office you're leavin' town
Do you hear your bedside radio
Do you hear your bedside radio
Do you hear your bedside radio
Do you hear your bedside radio
Do you hear your bedside radio
Do you hear your bedside radio
Turn it on
Turn it on
Turn it on
09 Headhunter (04:46)
Aaahhh
I am the animal
My god, I am the beast
I love to see you bleed
So welcome to my feast
We're serving human flesh
To keep you satisfied
With every bloody bite you eat
Another's going to die
Aaahhh
Don't give me politics
Don't give me public schools
Just keep the cops and t.v. police
From breaking all the rules
I am the raging bull
No fear, No Sympathy
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
That's my cup of tea
Ooohhh
Feel the heat
Throw your bodies into the fire
Time to feed
Headhunter
Headhunter
Headhunter
Headhunter aahh
My axe is clean and soft
and blade is shining bright
She's hungry for her midnight snack
And heads will roll tonight
I am the hunter
Not easy to please
Stand in line, she cures their lust
Victims on their knees aahh
Chorus
Headhunter
Headhunter
Headhunter
Headhunter
Headhunter
Aaaaaahhhhhh
Headhunter
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